General formula for a phthalate. R is usually a hyrdocarbon chain consisting of 4-15 carbons
Information
Phthalates were first produced during the 1920s, and have been produced in large quantities since the 1950s, when PVC was introduced. The name phthalate comes from phthalic acid. This is because phthalate esters are the dialkyl or alkyl aryl esters of phthalic acid. The phthalates aren't very water solubile, however they are oil solubile. Phthalates are added to plastic to impart flexibility and resilience. When added to plastics they allow the polyvinyl molecules to slide against each other. The carboxyl group doesn't add much to the physical properties, except when R and R' are very small, usually ethyl r methyl groups. They are colorless, odorless liquids produced by reacting phthalic anhydride with an appropriate alcohol.[3]
Production
Phthalate ethers can be produced by reactig ortho-phthalic or terephthalic acid with an alcohol. In the United States terephthalic acid is used more often. The alcohols used to make the phthalates are usually methanol, ethanol, or other alcohols up to iso-decanol. By having a large variety of phthalates there is also a wide range of different properties for different uses.[1]
Types of Phthalates
Di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) also known as di-octyl phthalate (DOP)
There are many consumer products which contain dibutyl phthalate. Some of them are colognes and perfumes, cosmetics, paints, undercoats and primers, plastic products, floor polish, window cleaning products, caulks and sealants, latex type adhesives, resin and rubber adhesives, safety glass, vinyl floors, hairspray and nail polish. Most of these products relate mostly to PVC products.[4]
Health Effects
The latest research findings and current understanding of the health and environmental effects of phthalates clearly show that they do not pose a risk to human health or the environment. Plasticisers such as phthalates have raised concerns on a variety of topics ever since the early 1980's. Some of these include carcinogenicity, environmental effects, oestrogen mimicking, phthalates in toys, and most recently exposure via medical devices. However, any fears have repeatedly been shown to be unfounded. There is no evidence that any Phthalate plasticisers are human endocrine disruptors. However, some phthalates cause reproductive effects when exposed to high doses. However these tests were done on mice and so these effects have only been seen in humans at exposure levels many times higher.[1]
Its chemical name is dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane. It was first synthesized in 1874, however its properties as an insecticide weren't discovered until 1939. It then became the first chlorinated organic insecticide. Shortly after, it was being used in bulk to control mosquitoes, which were spreading malaria and lice which were transmitting typhus. Due to this increase of use there was a dramatic reduction in the incidence of both diseases. During the 1940's it was realized that DDT was more harmful than first thought.[5][6]
Sources
Since DDT is man-made, the sources are its uses. Since it was used as an insecticide the crops it was used on became the sources for human and animal exposure. Other than crop exposure the only way to be exposed was to work with DDT directly, either by synthesizing it, or by applying it to the crops.
Health Effects
DDT is moderately to slightly toxic to mammals. It is not considered to acutely toxic. It has actually been applied directly to clothes and/or used in soap. DDT is known for its chronic effects on the nervous system, liver, kidneys, and immune systems. Those who are exposed to DDT as part of their occupation showed reduced verbal attention, an sequencing, and with increased neuropsychological and psychiatric symptoms which varied in severity based on dosage. Many farmers, who are often exposed to DDT occupationally, have shown increased symptoms of non-allergic asthma.[7]
It has been classified as a carcinogen. It has been found that DDT causes various forms of cancer, ranging from liver, pancreatic, testicular, and breast.
DDT exposure is also poses a risk as a teratogen. It has been seen to cause premature births and low birth weights.[6]
Phthalates
- Information
Phthalates were first produced during the 1920s, and have been produced in large quantities since the 1950s, when PVC was introduced. The name phthalate comes from phthalic acid. This is because phthalate esters are the dialkyl or alkyl aryl esters of phthalic acid. The phthalates aren't very water solubile, however they are oil solubile. Phthalates are added to plastic to impart flexibility and resilience. When added to plastics they allow the polyvinyl molecules to slide against each other. The carboxyl group doesn't add much to the physical properties, except when R and R' are very small, usually ethyl r methyl groups. They are colorless, odorless liquids produced by reacting phthalic anhydride with an appropriate alcohol.[3]- Production
Phthalate ethers can be produced by reactig ortho-phthalic or terephthalic acid with an alcohol. In the United States terephthalic acid is used more often. The alcohols used to make the phthalates are usually methanol, ethanol, or other alcohols up to iso-decanol. By having a large variety of phthalates there is also a wide range of different properties for different uses.[1]- Types of Phthalates
- Di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) also known as di-octyl phthalate (DOP)
- Di-isononyl phthalate (DINP)
- Di-isodecyl phthalate (DIDP)
- Dibutyl phthalates (DBP)
- For more common use phthalates check Phthalates.com/chains
- Sources
There are many consumer products which contain dibutyl phthalate. Some of them are colognes and perfumes, cosmetics, paints, undercoats and primers, plastic products, floor polish, window cleaning products, caulks and sealants, latex type adhesives, resin and rubber adhesives, safety glass, vinyl floors, hairspray and nail polish. Most of these products relate mostly to PVC products.[4]- Health Effects
The latest research findings and current understanding of the health and environmental effects of phthalates clearly show that they do not pose a risk to human health or the environment. Plasticisers such as phthalates have raised concerns on a variety of topics ever since the early 1980's. Some of these include carcinogenicity, environmental effects, oestrogen mimicking, phthalates in toys, and most recently exposure via medical devices. However, any fears have repeatedly been shown to be unfounded.There is no evidence that any Phthalate plasticisers are human endocrine disruptors. However, some phthalates cause reproductive effects when exposed to high doses. However these tests were done on mice and so these effects have only been seen in humans at exposure levels many times higher.[1]
DDT
- Information
Its chemical name is dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane. It was first synthesized in 1874, however its properties as an insecticide weren't discovered until 1939. It then became the first chlorinated organic insecticide. Shortly after, it was being used in bulk to control mosquitoes, which were spreading malaria and lice which were transmitting typhus. Due to this increase of use there was a dramatic reduction in the incidence of both diseases. During the 1940's it was realized that DDT was more harmful than first thought.[5][6]- Sources
Since DDT is man-made, the sources are its uses. Since it was used as an insecticide the crops it was used on became the sources for human and animal exposure. Other than crop exposure the only way to be exposed was to work with DDT directly, either by synthesizing it, or by applying it to the crops.- Health Effects
DDT is moderately to slightly toxic to mammals. It is not considered to acutely toxic. It has actually been applied directly to clothes and/or used in soap. DDT is known for its chronic effects on the nervous system, liver, kidneys, and immune systems. Those who are exposed to DDT as part of their occupation showed reduced verbal attention, an sequencing, and with increased neuropsychological and psychiatric symptoms which varied in severity based on dosage. Many farmers, who are often exposed to DDT occupationally, have shown increased symptoms of non-allergic asthma.[7]It has been classified as a carcinogen. It has been found that DDT causes various forms of cancer, ranging from liver, pancreatic, testicular, and breast.
DDT exposure is also poses a risk as a teratogen. It has been seen to cause premature births and low birth weights.[6]
Sources
1."Phthalate," Wikipedia; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phthalates#Endocrine_disruption (March 30, 2009) (Accessed: March 23 2009)
2. "Endocrine Disruptors," American Chemistry; http://www.americanchemistry.com/s_phthalate/sec.asp?CID=1898&DID=7577 (June 18, 2007) (Accessed:March 23, 2009)
3. "Phthalates Information Centre," Phthalates Information Centre; http://www.phthalates.com/ (Accessed: March 23, 2009)
4. "Dibutyl Phthalate Fact Sheet" National Pollutant Inventory; http://www.npi.gov.au/database/substance-info/profiles/32.html#sourcesof (April 06, 2006)(Accessed: March 23, 2009)
5. "DDT" 3D Chem.com; http://www.3dchem.com/molecules.asp?ID=90# (August 1997)(Accessed: March 28, 2009)
6. "DDT" Wikipedia; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DDT (March 31, 2009)(Accessed: March 28, 2009)
7. "DDT Fact Sheet" Pesticide News No 40; http://www.pan-uk.org/pestnews/Actives/ddt.htm (June 1998)(Accessed: March 29, 2009)